Water department receives portion of BWD money

November 19, 2012

EAST LIVERPOOL - The city's water department has received more than $4 million of the total owed by Buckeye Water District as the result of a successful lawsuit filed by the city against the water district.

Utilities Director Bob Disch reported to the Board of Public Utilities last week he had received a check from the district this week for $1,069,508 that was placed in the agency fund along with other payments made, bringing the total to date to $4,435,000.

Disch said the money was placed in the fund at the advice of the auditors, "where it all sits."

The BWD was ordered to pay the city more than $6 million after it lost a breach of contract lawsuit filed after the agency stopped purchasing water from the city, which whom it had a contract.

Disch reported the computer served in the water office is in need of repairs but a vendor has suggested replacement would be the better option, due to the age of the equipment.

The cost would be between $6,000 and $8,000, and Disch said problems with overheating, having to increase memory, an inoperable tape drive and other issues mean it is time to replace the equipment.

He suggested the board wait until the first of the year to consider purchasing new phones for the office after obtaining some quotes.

The board voted 2-1, with Fred Rayl absent, to not hold a meeting during December.